On the Radio: Iowans cut down on bottled water use

Listen to this week’s radio segment here or read the transcript below. This week’s episode highlights recent efforts to reduce bottled water use in Iowa.

Choosing bottled water over tap water doesn’t just hurt your pocketbook, it also hurts the environment.

This is the Iowa Environmental Focus.

Every year in the U.S., 1.5 million barrels of oil are used to create the plastic for bottled water. 86% of these bottles end up in a landfill or incinerator – all for a product that’s often no better than tap water.

Some organizations and people in Iowa are taking steps to limit bottled water use. Gretchen Swan, an Iowa City mom of three, created a water dispenser known as the Thirst Station in order to cut down on plastic waste. The Thirst Station dispenses purified or flavored water into reusable bottles for a small fee.

Additionally, many of Iowa’s schools including all three public universities, Kirkwood Community College and Mount Mercy University recently installed water bottle friendly fountains.